The Haunting Of Toby Jugg (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
Toby Jugg is a young fighter pilot in 1942, now confined to a wheelchair after being shot down. He is also the heir to a considerable fortune, a fortune that is being administered by a board of trustees until he comes of age. He is becoming increasingly disturbed by a strange presence, a mysterious shadow cast by the moonlight through a gap in the blackout curtains, a shadow that he is convinced is cast by a malevolent and unnatural entity trying to gain entrance to his room. Toby is unable to convince anyone of the reality of this entity, and he slowly comes to believe that there is a ploy against him, a plot to send him mad, or to make it appear that he is already mad. Is this some form of hallucination? Is this unearthly creature real or a product of his imagination? Do the people caring for him actually intend his destruction, or are they sincerely concerned for a young man whose grip on sanity is steadily weakening? It’s really an elaborate and bizarre conspiracy theory story rather than a conventional horror story. It’s also a severely paranoid right-wing conspiracy theory. It’s impossible to take it seriously, and that’s the very quality that makes it vastly entertaining and extremely amusing even for readers who don’t share Wheatley’s political beliefs. You have to admire someone who can weave together such a complex and eccentric paranoid fantasy involving Communists, Satanists, Freemasons and modern theories of education. As a horror thriller it’s exciting and gripping – Wheatley demonstrates considerable skill in building up an atmosphere of menace, suspicion and supernatural dread. I don’t think very many readers could approach this book the way its author presumably intended it to be approached, but if you read it with the right kind of camp sensibility it really is outrageous fun. Published in 1948.
Started slowly, but got better as the book progressed.The book is written as a diary, written from the perspective of a paralysed millionaire, shot down while fighting against the Germans in WWII in the RAF. He is in the lead up to his 21st Birthday where he will attain his majority and have access to his fortune. However, he is struggling with the horror outside his window, that only shows up when the moon is nearly full...This is the first thriller novel that I have read, and so I cannot compare it to anything else, but Dennis Wheatley builds up the suspense brilliantly, to the point where you are immersed in Toby's plight, waiting for the next tap on the window, urgently trying to escape, wondering whether he is in fact going slowly insane.For those of you who have seen the Robert Pattinson film "The Haunted Airman", which is loosely based on this book (and is in fact a very good film in its own right), do not expect much overlap. The film is very, very different to the book, and barely has anything relating to it beyond the bare bones.I would recommend this book to any who are interested in thriller books, and would also recommend watching the film too, despite the differences between the two.
What do You think about The Haunting Of Toby Jugg (2007)?
It was long( I read it on my nook)but it was worth it. I saw a film adaption a few years back and knew the book would be better. I was absolutely right.Wheatley created a situation where, at times, you find yourself doubting the validity of the main character. All of his fears and rationalizations seem plausible but so do the other characters rationalizations for why they aren't. At some point you find yourself having to trust your gut and then all is suddenly revealed. Even then, you're still wondering if this is more spinning of truths in Toby's head. It isn't until the very end of the story, when you're tired and frantically worried for the main character, do you find out the real truth.By then you're so happy the whole ordeal is over. It's truly nerve-wracking and that's why I loved it so much. It's as though you're experiencing everything the main character does, down to mental and physical anguish.
—Corynn Robinnson
This book takes quite a while to get going but it builds slowly to a great conclusion. You start the book wondering about Toby's sanity and the twists and turns in the narrative keep you guessing. The poor man suffers throughout and just when you think he may be achieving something, it all goes wrong. He just doesn't know who he can trust. Wheatley probably gives a little too much background; perhaps a little more than we need. The book is a little bit dated and Wheatley's political views grated with me a little. Overall an excellent read.
—Terrence Northwood
